Angélique Kidjo becomes first African musician with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Angélique Kidjo has become the first African musician to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, securing a lasting place for African musical achievement at one of the entertainment industry’s best-known landmarks.

The Benin-born singer unveiled the star in Los Angeles on August 18. During the ceremony, she spoke about Africa’s foundational influence on music and then began singing for those gathered. Actor Willem Dafoe and Recording Academy chief Harvey Mason Jr. were among the guests who praised her artistry, global influence and humanitarian work.

The recognition follows an international career spanning more than four decades. Kidjo has won five Grammy Awards and built a multilingual repertoire that includes songs in Fon, Yoruba, French and English. Her music brings West African sounds into conversation with funk, jazz, R&B and pop, reaching listeners across generations and continents.

Kidjo has also used her public platform to support girls and young women in Africa through the Batonga Foundation. When the star was announced, she said she believed other African singers would follow. Her new place on the Hollywood boulevard now gives that hope a permanent public symbol.